Ducks Open Thursday Doubleheader With 6-1 Win

Thursday, March 1

Tampa, FL

12:00 PM

University of Oregon

13-3

South Florida

7-11

Oregon

USF

Photo by: GoDucks.com

03/01/18 | Softball

Box Score Box: #6 Oregon 6, USF 1

The No. 6 Ducks defeated South Florida, 6-1, in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday at USF Softball Stadium

By: Nate Krueger

TAMPA, Fla. - The No. 6 ranked Oregon softball team defeated South Florida, 6-1, in the first game of a doubleheader on Thursday at USF Softball Stadium.

The Ducks (13-3) kicked off a stretch of seven games over four days in Florida with their third straight win, and will have a quick turnaround as they get set for game two of the doubleheader at 2:30 p.m. PT.

How it Happened: Sophomore Shannon Rhodes gave Oregon a 1-0 lead in the first inning with an RBI single to score senior Jenna Lilley, who opened the game with leadoff double.

Oregon loaded the bases with one out in the fourth inning on a hit batter, a USF error and a bunt base hit by Alexis Mack. Lilley drove in one run on an RBI single to left center and a second run came across on another USF error, and sophomore Mia Camuso plated the Ducks' third run of the frame with an RBI groundout to make it 4-0.

Senior Lauren Lindvall extended Oregon's lead to 5-0 in the fifth with an RBI infield single to score DJ Sanders, who was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a groundout and a passed ball. Camuso drove in her second run of the game in the sixth with an RBI fielder's choice.

The Bulls (7-11) were able to get on the board in the bottom of the seventh with an RBI double after a one-out walk, but that was all they could muster against junior Megan Kleist (5-2). Kleist allowed just two hits and four total baserunners in another terrific outing, and at one point she retired 13 straight batters while keeping USF from reaching second base until the final inning.

At the Plate: Lilley and Mack each had two hits to lead the Ducks, and Camuso paced Oregon with two RBIs. Lilley, Rhodes and Lindvall drove in one run each.

In the Circle: Kleist struck out 10 with just one walk over seven strong innings to earn her team-best fifth win of the season. Her 10 strikeouts marked her third double-digit strikeout game of the season.

Up Next: Oregon will take on USF at 2:30 p.m. PT in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader. South Florida will stream the game live at http://gousfbulls.com/watch/?Live=121&type=Live.